The State of the Community: An opinion by Psi

[geisha]

Blaming the mods actually never leads anywhere. I've been blaming them myself a lot in the past even though I know how frustrating the job is from the time when I was a mod... Every mod has been accused of power abuse and bias at some point. So firing them all and assigning new ones won't help.

IMHO it's all a question of proper organisation and reasonable rules. There seem to be a lot of rules the forum users must follow but there don't seem to be many rules a mod must follow. Make clear rules for the mods and make them public so people can't accuse a mod of bias without a true reason.

Maybe it would even make sense to have some sort of rotation circle. Have a pool of mods, add some new mods every now and again but only allow everyone in the pool to moderate for 1 month, after that they will have to take a break for a month before they can start the job again. That way mod-user-relations can't get too tense.

And I really think a little bit of banter, fun and spam must be allowed as long as there's no foul language involved because at the end of the day that's what keeps the community alive.

Oh and yes, give the Ombudsman a little more power.

[killtacular]

Blaming the mods actually never leads anywhere. I've been blaming them myself a lot in the past even though I know how frustrating the job is from the time when I was a mod... Every mod has been accused of power abuse and bias at some point. So firing them all and assigning new ones won't help.

IMHO it's all a question of proper organisation and reasonable rules. There seem to be a lot of rules the forum users must follow but there don't seem to be many rules a mod must follow. Make clear rules for the mods and make them public so people can't accuse a mod of bias without a true reason.

Maybe it would even make sense to have some sort of rotation circle. Have a pool of mods, add some new mods every now and again but only allow everyone in the pool to moderate for 1 month, after that they will have to take a break for a month before they can start the job again. That way mod-user-relations can't get too tense.

And I really think a little bit of banter, fun and spam must be allowed as long as there's no foul language involved because at the end of the day that's what keeps the community alive.

Oh and yes, give the Ombudsman a little more power.

Your never going to get the admins to post their rules or guidelines that a mod must follow. I have brought this up!!! I was told

as we said, the rules are of no use to you, and they are private... we have no intention of changing that...

what more could be said?

Here is another just awful way to talk to someone when I asked a simple plain question and was just was toyed with. You want to know why people dislike the mods because of situations like this. You talk about respect blah blah blah whos fault is it? I found your whole first post just laughable in this topic.

I recently had some spam topics locked could someone let me know y?

i saw an invasion of general members.

I dont know what u mean by invasion? Did I do something wrong?

a sudden influx of "foreign" elements intending on causing a disruption. be thankful i's not a GM, last invasion participants got banned without warning.

All I was doing was trying to spam a little in the spam temple. Funny how you bring this topic up . You got stuff to ask about people you should have looked at yourself first.

[Psi Kiya Trist]

Here is another just awful way to talk to someone when I asked a simple plain question and was just was toyed with. You want to know why people dislike the mods because of situations like this. You talk about respect blah blah blah whos fault is it? I found your whole first post just laughable in this topic.

I recently had some spam topics locked could someone let me know y?

i saw an invasion of general members.

I dont know what u mean by invasion? Did I do something wrong?

a sudden influx of "foreign" elements intending on causing a disruption. be thankful i's not a GM, last invasion participants got banned without warning.

All I was doing was trying to spam a little in the spam temple. Funny how you bring this topic up . You got stuff to ask about people you should have looked at yourself first.

I was still bitter because I was one of the ones banned in the last "invasion".

[killtacular]

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

[Mordack]

Transparency, yes, that's also important.

[Empy]

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Why is it any concern of the public why a member of the Staff was fired? If you want to know then ask the person who was fired, don't get mad at the Admins...

[Mordack]

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Why is it any concern of the public why a member of the Staff was fired? If you want to know then ask the person who was fired, don't get mad at the Admins...

No, it is a concern. It's a concern because the users are what make this community, this forum, and as such they deserve to know how it's governed. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. When I was an admin, albeit briefly, I tried to make this the norm, but I guess I failed.

[Noobert]

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

[killtacular]

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

zet made that thread not tekki he made it known and let everyone know it then he said its not our damn business to know , its always nice to you acting like a canadian.

[Mordack]

It pains me to disagree with you, Noobert, because I'm quite a fan.

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

Tekki is irrelevant to this discussion. No offense, Tekki, because you know I'm a fan.

They're being.. generous? Generous in deigning to enlighten the simple users as to why they did what they did? Don't you see, Noobert? Don't you grasp it? There's a gap between users and moderators right now. I happen to think that the reasons they sacked her are valid. Valid, and understandable. If they'd published them, maybe people would at least accept it, but this veil of secrecy is wrong. Moderators are public servants, and the public deserve to know what they're up to.

I realise I just **Filtered** my chance to being a mod again, as I did apply, but nevermind. It needed to be said. Transparency IS important. The more the users know, the more comfortable they feel. They need to know why the mods do what they do. Their reasoning. Otherwise it falls apart. Otherwise there's a gap.

[killtacular]

It pains me to disagree with you, Noobert, because I'm quite a fan.

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

Tekki is irrelevant to this discussion. No offense, Tekki, because you know I'm a fan.

They're being.. generous? Generous in deigning to enlighten the simple users as to why they did what they did? Don't you see, Noobert? Don't you grasp it? There's a gap between users and moderators right now. I happen to think that the reasons they sacked her are valid. Valid, and understandable. If they'd published them, maybe people would at least accept it, but this veil of secrecy is wrong. Moderators are public servants, and the public deserve to know what they're up to.

I realise I just **Filtered** my chance to being a mod again, as I did apply, but nevermind. It needed to be said. Transparency IS important. The more the users know, the more comfortable they feel. They need to know why the mods do what they do. Their reasoning. Otherwise it falls apart. Otherwise there's a gap.

well said I wish I was so eloquent with words

[lone dragon]

It pains me to disagree with you, Noobert, because I'm quite a fan.

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

Tekki is irrelevant to this discussion. No offense, Tekki, because you know I'm a fan.

They're being.. generous? Generous in deigning to enlighten the simple users as to why they did what they did? Don't you see, Noobert? Don't you grasp it? There's a gap between users and moderators right now. I happen to think that the reasons they sacked her are valid. Valid, and understandable. If they'd published them, maybe people would at least accept it, but this veil of secrecy is wrong. Moderators are public servants, and the public deserve to know what they're up to.

I realise I just **Filtered** my chance to being a mod again, as I did apply, but nevermind. It needed to be said. Transparency IS important. The more the users know, the more comfortable they feel. They need to know why the mods do what they do. Their reasoning. Otherwise it falls apart. Otherwise there's a gap.

Really my opinion on this is simple on tekki if she doesnt want it known then I dont want to know. I am some what disappointing in how it went but as a mod told me it comes down to this; once an admin lays down the law its final, no more discussions or opinions if she wished to complain then either I guess the ombs or a direct complaint is what has to happen. Either way its not anyone's call but tekki's.
I think the issue is more at the moment people are on edge, forum activity is a worry and people are just looking for something to blame. If we had all the alliances in the forum I doubt this would be an issue but maybe that's something that can be looked at. I always think check communication lines first, empathy is a great thing as is an understanding of the rules, I respect mods cause I was one, not a high or great one. I can understand the higher you go it becomes harder and more to do, I think this the community will survive as long as people want it, but nothing lasts forever.

[killtacular]

It pains me to disagree with you, Noobert, because I'm quite a fan.

If you read this thread you get why people have a problem with the admin team. Just the way things are handled all the time And I mean ALL.
viewtopic.php?f=207&t=182499&start=30

Have you asked yourself why she hasn't come forward with the reason behind why she was let go?

Tekki may be my friend, but what she has started - I do not support a single bit. I may understand it, but I do not support it. Let alone her current actions towards certain..Moderators after her dismissal.

You do realize that the Admins are being generous when giving you anything regarding a dismissal, right? They do not have to tell you anything because all it does is create problems like this. Every single time there is something that happens. It's sad, and pathetic but I am glad to see that user's are so vigorously standing up for something they believe in - even if they are acting like primates flinging poo at the passersby.

Tekki is irrelevant to this discussion. No offense, Tekki, because you know I'm a fan.

They're being.. generous? Generous in deigning to enlighten the simple users as to why they did what they did? Don't you see, Noobert? Don't you grasp it? There's a gap between users and moderators right now. I happen to think that the reasons they sacked her are valid. Valid, and understandable. If they'd published them, maybe people would at least accept it, but this veil of secrecy is wrong. Moderators are public servants, and the public deserve to know what they're up to.

I realise I just **Filtered** my chance to being a mod again, as I did apply, but nevermind. It needed to be said. Transparency IS important. The more the users know, the more comfortable they feel. They need to know why the mods do what they do. Their reasoning. Otherwise it falls apart. Otherwise there's a gap.

Really my opinion on this is simple on tekki if she doesnt want it known then I dont want to know. I am some what disappointing in how it went but as a mod told me it comes down to this; once an admin lays down the law its final, no more discussions or opinions if she wished to complain then either I guess the ombs or a direct complaint is what has to happen. Either way its not anyone's call but tekki's.
I think the issue is more at the moment people are on edge, forum activity is a worry and people are just looking for something to blame. If we had all the alliances in the forum I doubt this would be an issue but maybe that's something that can be looked at. I always think check communication lines first, empathy is a great thing as is an understanding of the rules, I respect mods cause I was one, not a high or great one. I can understand the higher you go it becomes harder and more to do, I think this the community will survive as long as people want it, but nothing lasts forever.

Read the whole thread this isn't about tekki.

[Mordack]

I didn't mean to be histrionic in my last post, and I'm sorry if I did.

In addition to the points I made earlier, one of the most important things is that the users understand the admin. If the admin are seen as a group of players who live in their ivory tower, then all is lost. They need to be accountable. They need to be approachable. Maybe I was too short as an admin, I don't know, but that's what I strived for.

I am a diehard Conservative, as it happens, but one of the politicians I admire the most is Tony Benn, a famous British socialist, and he said the following: five questions that need to be said to anyone in power.

What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interest do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
And how can I get rid of you?

Something to think about it.

[Noobert]

It pains me to disagree with you, Noobert, because I'm quite a fan.

Tekki is irrelevant to this discussion. No offense, Tekki, because you know I'm a fan.

They're being.. generous? Generous in deigning to enlighten the simple users as to why they did what they did? Don't you see, Noobert? Don't you grasp it? There's a gap between users and moderators right now. I happen to think that the reasons they sacked her are valid. Valid, and understandable. If they'd published them, maybe people would at least accept it, but this veil of secrecy is wrong. Moderators are public servants, and the public deserve to know what they're up to.

I realise I just **Filtered** my chance to being a mod again, as I did apply, but nevermind. It needed to be said. Transparency IS important. The more the users know, the more comfortable they feel. They need to know why the mods do what they do. Their reasoning. Otherwise it falls apart. Otherwise there's a gap.

Yes. They are being generous because Moderators put up with enough **Filtered** to know now that it doesn't matter what you do, people will always be dissatisfied with what you do. This is the number one rule on any forum. I'm stating they are being generous because other forums wouldn't give you the same leeway that this one does. Other forums would in fact warn the originator of the thread, lock it, etc. You cannot please everyone, and in this case it would do more harm than good to post the reasoning behind this. Zeratul was right because it isn't their business to know why a Moderator was fired. Why should it be? Tekki was removed for something she did that violates the Moderator's handbook. Why should the public have the right to know something that pertains only to the Moderator's? Do they deserve to know why somebody was removed? Maybe, maybe not. It's a matter of opinion.

Transparency is very important, in this I agree, but in this matter Mordack. Tell me. What would you do? Give them the information, or not? I voted in favor of giving them this information as you can see by the creation of my own topic in the Moderator forum. You have had a change of heart since the creation of that topic, it seems.

Why would posting your opinion matter? Deni, Zeratul, and Earendil know you are a very capable Moderator if not Admin itself. I highly doubt anything short of giving the middle finger to the Moderator team will have any effect what so ever on your application, Greg. You know that. Anyone who is willing to state his opinion, regardless of the outcome I would vote for in a heart beat. Just as long as they aren't a **Filtered** in a box.